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22 Sep

September 22, 2014 |
Pastor Jim Bolich (left) conducts one of the day's five baptisms.

Pastor Jim Bolich (left) conducts one of the day’s five baptisms.

Meal time during the Prince Street Family Day at Rhodes Grove Camp.

Meal time during the Prince Street Family Day at Rhodes Grove Camp.

Jim Bolich (right), senior pastor, Prince Street UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.)

Each year, on the third Sunday of August, Prince Street Church steps away from the hectic pace of our ordinary lives to get away for a day of worship, fellowship, and fun. It’s a way to celebrate old friendships and make a few new ones. This year, more than 160 people gathered outside Chambersburg on the grounds of Rhodes Grove Camp for Family Day.

The first 30 minutes of the day were devoted to mingling, giving people who typically attend different worship services opportunity to get acquainted. It also provided time to get to know some new friends who joined us for the day. With the room buzzing with conversation, our worship continued with a time of singing, prayer, and God’s Word. As the service drew to a close, we shared communion together.

As always, Sunday dinner was delicious. From the fried chicken to the mac and cheese to the ham and green beans, there was something for every taste. But even sweeter than the cupcakes for dessert were the conversations I heard around the tables as we ate together.

The skies cleared just in time for us to enjoy the afternoon playing together. Some took advantage of the swings under the shade trees. Others climbed the zip-line for an adrenaline-pumping ride. Some waded in the pool, while others found ways to slip beyond the normal boundaries of the water slide. Some enjoyed a game of corn hole, while others simply enjoyed a conversation in lawn chairs.

But for me, the highlight of the day was yet to come.

Each year, we offer baptism as the final activity of Family Day. This year, five people gave testimony to their faith through the baptism as their family and friends gathered around the pool. What a celebration!

20 Sep

September 20, 2014 |
Some of the attendees.

Some of the attendees at breakfast on Saturday morning, Sept 20.

The group Attaboy is leading worship during the women's conference.

The group Attaboy is leading worship during the women’s conference.

Attendees take selfies.

Attendees take selfies on Saturday morning.

The 2014 UB Women’s Conference began Friday, September 19, at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio. About 240 women are attending–the largest group yet for the women’s conference, which is held every two years. The conference concludes Sunday morning.

The attendees include Sandy Whipple (wife of Bishop Phil Whipple), Huntington University president Sherilyn Emberton, Global Ministries associate director Donna Hollopeter, and Charlene Bleijerveld, wife of Global Ministries director Jeff Bleijerveld.

Nearly 100 photos have been posted on the United Brethren Facebook page.

15 Sep

September 15, 2014 |

Deb VanArsdalen’s father, Emil Schock, passed away last week. His memorial service was held on Saturday, September 13. Deb’s husband, Dan, is senior pastor of Alvordton UB church (Alvordton, Ohio). Cards can be sent to:

Deb VanArsdalen
201 Lakeview Drive
Bryan, OH 43506

15 Sep

September 15, 2014 |
The crowd at the Michindoh Conference Center

The crowed at the Michindoh Conference Center

Pastor Lester Smith as the Apostle Paul.

Pastor Lester Smith as the Apostle Paul.

Hillsdale UB church (Hillsdale, Mich.) held its 16th annual Friends and Family Day on Sunday, August 24.

The event began with an indoor service at the church, followed by an outdoor service at the Fireside Memorial Chapel at Michindoh Conference Center. Pastor Lester Smith, playing the role of the Apostle Paul, delivered the book of 1 Thessalonians in both services.

There were a large number of visitors, with a combined record attendance for this event of over 550. After a potluck lunch, everyone enjoyed the camp water slide, swimming, and a cardboard-with-duct-tape boat race.

11 Sep

September 11, 2014 |
Top row (l-r): Stephanie Farman, Todd Moser, Kevin Poole, Montgomery Seaman, Matteneh Abu, Scott Graham. Middle row: Todd Greenman, Gener Lascase, Chris Soltis, Jason Clarke, Todd Frederick, Mike Mattox. Bottom row: Marvin McNew, Caleb Palmer, David Souers, Nicholas Walborn.

Top row (l-r): Stephanie Farman, Todd Moser, Kevin Poole, Montgomery Seaman, Matteneh Abu, Scott Graham. Middle row: Todd Greenman, Gener Lascase, Chris Soltis, Jason Clarke, Todd Frederick, Mike Mattox. Bottom row: Marvin McNew, Caleb Palmer, David Souers, Nicholas Walborn.

The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team has granted ministerial licenses to the following persons. We welcome them to the United Brethren ministerial family.

Specialized Licenses

  • Stephanie Farman, children’s coordinator at Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.).
  • Todd Moser, Children’s Ministry Director at New Horizons Community Church (Rockford, Ohio).
  • Kevin Poole, Children’s Pastor at Fowlerville UB church (Fowlerville, Mich.).
  • Montgomery Seaman, Pastor of Worship & Connections at Mongul UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.).

National Conference Licenses

  • Matteneh Abu, from Mount Zion United African Church (Philadelphia, Pa.).
  • Scott Graham, senior pastor of Good Shepherd UB church (Greenfield, Ohio).
  • Todd Greenman, senior pastor of Morocco UB church (Temperance, Mich.).
  • Gener Lascase, pastor of Salem Haitian UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.).
  • Chris Soltis, Pastor of Children & Youth Ministries at Shoreline UB church (Oak Harbor, Ohio).

Provisional Licenses

  • Jason Clarke, Director of Worship Arts at New Hope Community Church (Bryan, Ohio).
  • Todd Frederick, from Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.).
  • Mike Mattox, senior pastor of New Life Church (Chanute, Kansas).
  • Marvin McNew, associate pastor of The Well (Huntington, Ind.).
  • Caleb Palmer, senior pastor of Northland Community Church (Traverse City, Mich.).
  • David Souers, senior pastor of New Horizons Community Church (Rockford, Ohio).
  • Nicholas Walborn, Director of Student Ministries at New Hope Community Church (Bryan, Ohio).

09 Sep

September 9, 2014 |

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At the Atlantic Avenue baptismal service.

At the Atlantic Avenue baptismal service.

On August 24, Atlantic Avenue UB church (Franklin, Pa.) baptized 25 persons. The service was held at a county park. After a tureen dinner, everyone headed down to the beach for a worship time, communion, and the baptism. About 230 people attended.

09 Sep

September 9, 2014 |

Fall enrollment at Huntington University stands at 1,209. That’s an 8% increase over 2013.

The graduate programs grew across the board, increasing from 69 to 134 students. That included:

  • 32 students (the maximum allowed) in the new doctorate in occupational therapy program.
  • A 60% increase in the graduate counseling program.
  • New graduate programs in ministry and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

Meanwhile, at the undergraduate level:

  • There are 977 traditional undergraduate students, a 3% bump from fall 2013.
  • The 87% retention rate of freshmen to sophomores is the highest in the university’s history.

Once again, it’s a diverse class.

  • Students come from 35 different states, including such far-flung states as Maine, South Carolina, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Hawaii.
  • 9% of the students are ethnic minorities.
  • 41 international students represent 20 countries, including Argentina, Honduras, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.

09 Sep

September 9, 2014 |
Pastor Bill Blue with four children being dedicated, along with their families.

Pastor Bill Blue with four children being dedicated, along with their families.

Pastor Bill Blue (right) and Chris Soltis, pastor of children and youth ministries (left) with baptism candidates.

Pastor Bill Blue (right) and Chris Soltis, pastor of children and youth ministries (left) with baptism candidates.

Pastor Bill Blue and Chris Soltis with baptism candidates.

Pastor Bill Blue and Chris Soltis with baptism candidates.

Chris Soltis, Pastor of Children & Youth Ministries, Shoreline Church (Oak Harbor, Ohio)

Pastor Bill Blue preaching.

Pastor Bill Blue preaching.

On August 17, Shoreline Church (Oak Harbor, Ohio) held its annual Back 2 School Bash at Camp Sabroske. About 150 people attended attended this wonderful evening of fun, food, and fellowship! Families gathered and enjoyed volleyball, soccer, basketball, horseshoes, swimming, cornhole… there was something for everyone!

After a time of worship, Pastor Bill Blue delivered the message. Four children were dedicated. Then the three baptism candidates shared their testimony and why they were getting baptized. From there, the service moved towards the pond and baptisms were performed.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed fantastic food and fellowship and a time of just being together. This event helps celebrate all that God has been doing in our lives and serves as a springboard for our church as we transition into our fall ministry season!

09 Sep

September 9, 2014 |
Pastor Russ Wagner preaching from a boat.

Pastor Russ Wagner preaching from a boat.

The Mt. Zion congregation at the outdoor worship service.

The Mt. Zion congregation at the outdoor worship service.

Pastor Wagner completes one of the baptisms.

Pastor Wagner completes one of the baptisms.

On August 24, Mt. Zion UB church (Decatur, Ind.) held and outdoor worship service with 72 in attendance. Pastor Russ Wagner preached his sermon from a rowboat out in the pond. Afterwards, he baptized ten new believers.

The service and baptism were followed by a picnic carry-in lunch and an afternoon of games, swimming, and fellowship, with much thanksgiving to the Lord for the new brothers and sisters and the awesome weather.

03 Sep

September 3, 2014 |

fort-mchenry600

September 14 will mark the 200th anniversary of the US national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.” The song has a special connection for the United Brethren Church.

Francis Scott Key (right), who wrote the song, was a United Brethren member. He and a United Brethren preacher named John Snook organized a Sunday school in Keysville, Md. Key donated songbooks and led the singing. Snook and Key also went on evangelistic tours together, with Key handling the music.

Francis Scott Key, as most people know, penned the lyrics during the War of 1812 as he watched the British bombard Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Md. He was 35 years old when he wrote the four-stanza poem on September 14, 1814. It was published a few days later under the title “Defense of Fort M’Henry.”

“The Star Spangled Banner” became the national anthem by a Congressional resolution in 1931.